Rocket Lab: We have lift-off

Communications Minister Simon Bridges says a successful test launch from the Rocket Lab site on the Mahia Peninsula could signal the start of a New Zealand space industry. The country joins a list of 10 other nations able to launch satellites from their territory. It is the first space launch from a private launch facility. 

Last week’s launch of an Electron rocket is the first of a series of three test launches. While the launch is described as a success, the rocket failed to reach orbit. The company says it will investigate what happened but is undaunted. Rocket Lab CEO and founder Peter Beck says the launch means the company can accelerate its programme and deliver customers to orbit. He says space is now open for business. 

Beck’s plan is to shake up the space launch business. Rocket Lab is focused on small satellites and expects to deal with applications such as crop monitoring and weather reporting. It will also deliver communications satellites.

The Rocket Lab Electron satellite can put a 150kg payload into a 500km sun-synchronous orbit. That means it stays in constant sunlight. That is ideal for weather satellites, measuring and for spying.

Rocket Lab aims to get a vehicle into orbit on its next test flight, then it will work to maximise the rocket payload. The company has already signed several customers including NASA, Spire, Planet, Moon Express and Spaceflight.

Licenced to surf

School students can learn the skills needed to stay safe online by taking the Digital Licence interactive online quiz. The quiz teaches young people how to react to inappropriate or offensive online material. It also shows them how to deal with online bullying and looks at the dangers of sharing private information on the internet.

There are two certificates. One for children under 13 and another for older school students. 

 The Digital Licence was launched this week at Point England School in Auckland with a game-style event which examined the effect of racist comments and what happens to photos posted online. 

 Software for the licence was developed in Australia where it is used by more than 200,000 students. 

Taking part is free for New Zealand school students in years 8 and 9, their fees are paid by Google NZ. For everyone else there is a A$10 charge.  

Industry News:

Tomizone rolls out Connect to 50 Microsoft Innovation Centres

Up to 50 Microsoft Innovation Centres will use Tomizone’s Connect SaaS technology. Innovation Centres in Belgium and Nepal will pilot Connect with the remaining sites to follow. Connect will allow Microsoft to better understand visitors to the company’s innovation centres. 

Tomizone is a familiar name in New Zealand communications circles. The company began life in Auckland as a public Wi-Fi service operator. Today Tomizone has Sydney headquarters and is listed on the ASX. It now offers connectivity, analytics and location-based services to companies and public venues. 

Kordia names Haslam as director

The Kordia Group has appointed Sophie Haslam as a director. Her expertise is in corporate finance and strategy. In the past she has worked for Citibank, ANZ Investment Bank and New Zealand Post. She is a director of a number of other companies. 

NBN to education Australians on broadband speed

CommsDay reports Australian broadband provider NBN has told the country’s Senate Estimates Committee that in future there will be a greater focus on customer education in its marketing communications. This will include advice on how to set-up home networks and WiFi routers. 

 NBN says while it aims to move customers from its 12/1Mbps plan to 25Mbps and above, it does not forecast mass adoption of 100Mbps plans in the next four years. Bill Morrow, the company’s CEO said there is a lack of applications needing 100Mbps that consumers are willing to pay for. 

The company also told the committee customers could not reasonably expect 100 percent of advertised speeds 100 percent of the time.

TCF wants taxpayer to fund hearing loss phone service

Writing at the TCF blog, CEO Geoff Thorn argues the telecommunications relay service (NZ Relay) should be taxpayer funded. This is a service which allows a deaf person to text NZ Relay and have an operator transcribe messages so they can use services which might otherwise be inaccessible. It’s important for dealing with banks and medical professionals among others. 

The money for the NZ Relay comes from the $50 million Telecommunications Development Levy, which is a tax imposed on telecommunications companies. The levy also pays for rural telecommunications. Thorn writes: “TDL is funding a worthwhile and necessary service. However, the TCF’s position is that there are better ways of funding these benefits, which should arguably be funded from general taxation, than the TDL.”